FOURNIER (Pierre-Simon).

Historical and critical treatises on the origin and progress of printing. Paris, Joseph Barbou, s.d. [1763]. 5 parts in one volume in-8, marbled calf, smooth spine decorated, spotted edges (Binding of the end of the 18th century). Very rare collection on the history of typography, bringing together four treatises published separately: Dissertation on the origin and progress of the art of woodcutting (1758), On the origin and productions of primitive woodcut printing (1759), Observations on a work entitled Vindiciæ Typographicæ (1760), Remarks on a work entitled Letter on the origin of printing, etc. (1761). The editor has attached a general title, a table of parts, and a fifth unpublished pamphlet by the author: Lettre à M. Fréron, au sujet de l'édition d'une Bible annoncée pour être la première production de l'imprimerie (s.d. [1763]). Engraver and type founder, Fournier le Jeune (1712-1768) is the inventor of the Fournier point and the author of a famous Manuel typographique published by Barbou in 1764-1766. The present work was printed with his own typefaces. A fine copy, elegantly bound. From the library of Louis-Alexandre Gitton du Plessis (1800-1888), lawyer and collector from Blois, with bookplate. Slight rubbing on one hinge, very slight wetness at the foot. Bigmore & Wyman, I, 228.